FBI probes Atlanta LexisNexis data case

ATLANTA — The Federal Bureau of Investigation is probing an “intrusion” targeting data at LexisNexis, one of the nation’s largest collectors of information about people and businesses, a company spokesman said.

Along with the FBI, outside forensic investors are also working with the company to investigate the matter, LexisNexis spokesman Stephen Brown said.

“In that investigation, we have identified an intrusion targeting our data but to date have found no evidence that customer or consumer data were reached or retrieved,” Brown told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

“Because this matter is actively being investigated by law enforcement, I can’t provide further information at this time,” Brown said.

Lindsay Godwin, an FBI spokeswoman in Washington, confirmed an investigation was under way and that it involved several companies.

The firm’s databases, built from public records and proprietary sources, are used for identity checks, employee screenings, debt collections and other uses. Its clients include government agencies, insurers, banks, media companies, corporate personnel offices and private investigators.

The Dayton, Ohio-based global company has a major presence in metro Atlanta, with offices in Alpharetta, Atlanta and Duluth.

In recent years, hackers gaining access to Social Security numbers, background reports and other details about people have led to identity thefts.

Paul Stephens, director of policy and advocacy at the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, said while victims of data breaches don’t necessarily become victims of identity thefts, “unfortunately, data breaches are extremely common and they can in many instances lead to identity thefts.”

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Maybe the FBI should also include in their investigation about personal information is being sold to lawyers about in Atlanta from sources in Augusta. Information about debt collection is getting to Atlanta in less than 24 Hours after any changes to personal property takes place and is recorded in Augusta. Is someone in local government playing watchdog for lawyers in Atlanta? I think their should be an investigation in this matter just to reassure the citizens that someone is not getting paid to forward any changes to property deeds or any other personal business. I know that some county records are open to the public, but the speed of how lawyers find out about transactions in Richmond county is hours not days.